On February 11, members of the ASCO Government Relations Committee (GRC) came to Washington, DC, to meet with key federal agency and congressional committee staff to discuss ASCO’s top policy priorities. Issues discussed included the importance of big data initiatives such as CancerLinQ™, the interoperability of electronic health records (EHRs), Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 (MACRA) implementation, and quality measurement.

Members of the Government Relations Committee met with key congressional staff to discuss ASCO’s top policy priorities.

Members of the Government Relations Committee met with key congressional staff to discuss ASCO’s top policy priorities.

The day of meetings included a sit-down with the recently-appointed U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) commissioner Robert Califf, MD, MACC, who previously served as the agency’s deputy commissioner for Medical Products and Tobacco. This meeting focused on CancerLinQ’s potential for improving cancer care, the Targeted Agent and Profiling Utilization Registry (TAPUR) study, laboratory developed tests (LDTs), and appropriate opioid use.

“The GRC meeting was incredibly timely given the plethora of very important issues being debated in Washington, DC—from MACRA, to site neutrality, to the 340B Drug Discount Program, to possible changes to the Average Sales Price (ASP)—all big issues for our members,” said Philip Stella, MD, chair of the GRC. “The meetings on Capitol Hill were incredible and a great avenue to put forth our vision.”

In addition to the FDA meeting, GRC members met with members of and staff from:

FDA’s Office of Medical Products and Tobacco, with Dr. Califf

Discussed TAPUR, CancerLinQ, opioids, and laboratory developed tests

The Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation’s Office of Health Policy

Discussed MACRA implementation

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Center for Medicaid and CHIP Services

Discussed ASCO’s Medicaid recommendations

The U.S. House of Representatives Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee

Discussed MACRA implementation

The U.S. House of Representatives Ways and Means Committee Subcommittee on Health